US8594586B1 - Apparatus and method for conducting a push-to-talk (PTT) call with a voice over IP (VOIP) communications device - Google Patents

Apparatus and method for conducting a push-to-talk (PTT) call with a voice over IP (VOIP) communications device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US8594586B1
US8594586B1 US12/366,897 US36689709A US8594586B1 US 8594586 B1 US8594586 B1 US 8594586B1 US 36689709 A US36689709 A US 36689709A US 8594586 B1 US8594586 B1 US 8594586B1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
communications device
voip
format
dispatch
ptt
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related, expires
Application number
US12/366,897
Inventor
Steven D. Myers
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nextel Communications Inc
Original Assignee
Nextel Communications Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nextel Communications Inc filed Critical Nextel Communications Inc
Priority to US12/366,897 priority Critical patent/US8594586B1/en
Assigned to NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC. reassignment NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MYERS, STEVEN D.
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US8594586B1 publication Critical patent/US8594586B1/en
Assigned to DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS reassignment DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS GRANT OF FIRST PRIORITY AND JUNIOR PRIORITY SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Assignors: NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Assigned to NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC. reassignment NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC. TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF FIRST PRIORITY AND JUNIOR PRIORITY SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Assignors: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L65/00Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
    • H04L65/40Support for services or applications
    • H04L65/4061Push-to services, e.g. push-to-talk or push-to-video
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L65/00Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
    • H04L65/60Network streaming of media packets
    • H04L65/75Media network packet handling
    • H04L65/765Media network packet handling intermediate
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L61/00Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
    • H04L61/45Network directories; Name-to-address mapping
    • H04L61/4535Network directories; Name-to-address mapping using an address exchange platform which sets up a session between two nodes, e.g. rendezvous servers, session initiation protocols [SIP] registrars or H.323 gatekeepers
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/06Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
    • H04W4/10Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-On-Call services

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications, and in particular, to an apparatus and a method for conducting a Push-To-Talk (PTT) call with a Voice Over IP (VOIP) communications device.
  • PTT Push-To-Talk
  • VOIP Voice Over IP
  • dispatch communications are becoming increasingly popular and additional service providers, utilizing a variety of different technologies, are now providing the capability for these types of calls to their subscribers.
  • dispatch communications are half-duplex communications where only one person at a time is able to speak. They are also known as “walkie-talkie”, or push-to-talk, types of calls.
  • the apparatus in an embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention for conducting a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) push-to-talk (PTT) call, includes a communications device coupled to a service provider network.
  • the communications device includes a processor which converts a PTT communication from a first format to a second format.
  • VOIP Voice Over Internet Protocol
  • PTT push-to-talk
  • the method includes converting a PTT communication from a first format to a second format by a processor of a communications device coupled to a service provider network.
  • VOIP Voice Over Internet Protocol
  • PTT push-to-talk
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a communications network architecture for conducting PTT calls between a dispatch communications device and a Voice Over IP communications device in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 further illustrates a communications device for interoperating between different technologies for PTT calls in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a communications network architecture 100 for participating in dispatch communications.
  • the architecture can include multiple technologies for conducting dispatch communications.
  • a dispatch call is a half-duplex call where only one party at a time may speak. A party may speak when they have the “floor” in the call.
  • a party desires to speak during a dispatch call, or “walkie-talkie” or “push-to-talk” type call, the party presses a button on a communications device, e.g., a cell phone, that has a dispatch communications capability.
  • a communications device e.g., a cell phone
  • a dispatch communications device 110 is coupled to a dispatch communications service provider network 110 A.
  • the dispatch communications device may be any of a variety of devices that provide for dispatch communications via a dispatch communications network.
  • the dispatch communications device 110 may be a cell phone, a “walkie-talkie” radio, etc. All that is required is that the dispatch communications device provide for dispatch communications via a dispatch communications network.
  • the dispatch communications service provider network 110 A is not limited to any particular service provider or technology. All that is required is that the dispatch communications service provider network provide for dispatch communications for subscribers of the service provider by utilizing dispatch communications devices.
  • the dispatch communications service provider network may utilize the Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) technology as utilized by Sprint Nextel or the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology as also utilized by Sprint Nextel.
  • iDEN Integrated Digital Enhanced Network
  • CDMA Code Division Multiple Access
  • a dispatch communication associated with dispatch communications device 110 and dispatch communications service provider network 110 A is formatted in a dispatch communications format.
  • dispatch communications service provider network 110 A utilizes a dispatch communications format when providing dispatch communications services and internet service provider network 120 A does not utilize a dispatch communications format.
  • internet service provider network 120 A utilizes a voice over internet protocol “VOIP” format for its communications, and if these communications are to be provided to a dispatch communications device, the dispatch communications must be re-formatted into a dispatch communications format such that dispatch communications can be conducted with a dispatch communications device.
  • VOIP voice over internet protocol
  • dispatch communications device 110 which is coupled to dispatch communications service provider network 110 A, desires to participate in a dispatch (PTT) communication with VOIP communications device 120 which is coupled to internet service provider network 120 A.
  • PTT dispatch
  • VOIP communications device 120 which is coupled to internet service provider network 120 A.
  • dispatch communications device 110 is provided with dispatch communications services by dispatch communications service provider network 110 A, the format of the PTT communication from dispatch communications device 110 is in a dispatch communications format. Therefore, in order to communicate with VOIP communications device 120 , the PTT communication must be converted from the dispatch format associated with dispatch communications device 110 and dispatch communications service provider network 110 A to a VOIP format such that the PTT communication can be received by internet service provider network 120 A and provided to VOIP communications device 120 .
  • dispatch communications device 110 In order to convert the format of the PTT communication from the dispatch communications format to the VOIP communications format, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, dispatch communications device 110 , as can be seen in FIG. 2 , includes a processor 112 that converts the PTT communication from the dispatch communications format to the VOIP communications format. In order to perform this conversion, the processor 112 utilizes standard VOIP encoding, encapsulating, and transmission protocols 114 . Thus, the VOIP protocols 114 convert the dispatch communications format into a VOIP communications format such that the dispatch communication is transmitted to the internet service provider network 120 A and VOIP communications device 120 in a VOIP format, which can be processed by this VOIP network and VOIP communications device.
  • the VOIP communications device 120 utilizes the same standard VOIP encoding, encapsulating, and transmissions protocols as the processor 112 of the dispatch communications device 110 .
  • both endpoint client/devices implement compatible VOIP and IP protocol standards.
  • the dispatch communications device 110 can seamlessly communicate with the VOIP communications device 120 for dispatch communications.
  • dispatch communications device 110 also includes an IP address conversion table 116 .
  • the IP address conversion table 116 is coupled to processor 112 and allows processor 112 to correlate an identifier that is associated with the called party, i.e., VOIP communications device 120 , to an IP address for the VOIP communications device 120 .
  • dispatch communications device 110 communicates with other dispatch communications devices, these other dispatch communication devices are identified by identifiers that are associated with a dispatch communications format.
  • the identifier for the called party may be an iDEN PTN number.
  • the dispatch communications device 110 may be required to translate an identifier for the VOIP communications device 120 to the IP address for the VOIP communications device 120 .
  • the IP address conversion table 116 provides the correlation between an identifier for the VOIP communications device 120 and its IP address. For example, if a user with dispatch communications device 110 wants to call John Doe who is using VOIP communications device 120 , the user can merely select John Doe from an address list on the dispatch communications device and the processor 112 can access IP address conversion table 116 to correlate an IP address to the called party identifier, i.e., “John Doe”. Thus, the user is not required to remember or provide IP addresses for called parties using VOIP communications devices, rather, the IP address conversion table can contain this information.
  • the IP addresses can be downloaded from dispatch communications service provider network 110 A or the user can locally input the IP address utilizing the communications device's keypad.
  • the dispatch communications service provider network 110 A can inquire of internet service provider network 120 A for an IP address of a subscriber of the network based on an identifier, e.g., John Doe, associated with a called party. Dispatch communications service provider network 110 A can then download this IP address to the IP address conversion table 116 of the dispatch communications device 110 .
  • the VOIP communications device 120 is not limited to any particular type of VOIP device.
  • the VOIP device can be a personal computer.
  • the VOIP communications device 120 would be required to include an ability to “turn the call around” with a push-button or iconic software button which signals the desire for the user of the VOIP communications device 120 to talk, i.e., “take the floor”, in the dispatch communication.
  • This push-button or iconic software button is similar in functionality to a “push-to-talk” button associated with dispatch communications device 110 .
  • VOIP protocols 114 convert a dispatch format to a VOIP format such that a dispatch communication can be sent by dispatch communications device 110 and received by VOIP communications device 120 in the VOIP format
  • the VOIP protocols 114 also provide for the conversion required for converting the VOIP formatted dispatch communication from VOIP communications device 120 to dispatch communications device 110 .
  • the processor 112 utilizes the VOIP protocols 114 to convert the VOIP formatted communication to a dispatch formatted communication such that the dispatch communications device 110 can process the communication for the user of the communications device.
  • VOIP communications device 120 could also include an address conversion table which converts an identifier for a called party at dispatch communications device 110 to a dispatch formatted address associated with the dispatch communications device 110 .
  • the present invention is not limited to only conducting dispatch communications between two parties. Multiple parties may participate in such dispatch communications, for example, in dispatch group calls.
  • IP or VOIP based PTT the opportunity is presented to terminate a mobile originated PTT call to one or more IP based voice services, such as Time Warner Cable's digital phone service, Skype, Vonage, Gizmo Project, etc.
  • IP based voice services such as Time Warner Cable's digital phone service, Skype, Vonage, Gizmo Project, etc.
  • the present invention also allows for VOIP based service originated PTT calls to a mobile device.
  • the mobile PTT device has the ability to store the IP address or other Internet Routable identifying address of one or more VOIP capable termination points such as a PC running a Skype network client attached to the internet either wired or wirelessly. All endpoints utilize the same VOIP encoding algorithms and signaling protocols and/or translation gateways that allow the endpoints to communicate.
  • the present invention reduces the complexity of the overall system required by the prior art by using standard VOIP encoding, encapsulating, and transmission protocols from endpoint to endpoint. Endpoint clients/devices simply need to implement compatible

Abstract

An apparatus and method for conducting a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) push-to-talk (PTT) call is disclosed. In an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus includes a communications device coupled to a service provider network. The communications device includes a processor which converts a PTT communication from a first format to a second format. In an embodiment of a method of the present invention, the method includes converting a PTT communication from a first format to a second format by the processor of the communications device coupled to the service provider network.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications, and in particular, to an apparatus and a method for conducting a Push-To-Talk (PTT) call with a Voice Over IP (VOIP) communications device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Dispatch voice communications are becoming increasingly popular and additional service providers, utilizing a variety of different technologies, are now providing the capability for these types of calls to their subscribers. As is well known, dispatch communications are half-duplex communications where only one person at a time is able to speak. They are also known as “walkie-talkie”, or push-to-talk, types of calls.
Whereas previously PTT calls were limited to only being provided by a single service provider, and thus by utilizing a single network technology, currently these types of calls are provided by additional service providers. Further, these types of calls are now being provided over various different network technologies by the different service providers, e.g., Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), etc. Whereas there is interoperability for conducting PTT calls between the different service provider networks, and thus between the different technologies of the service provider networks, this interoperability generally requires complex technical solutions.
Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved apparatus and method for interoperating between different technologies for PTT calls.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention for conducting a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) push-to-talk (PTT) call, the apparatus includes a communications device coupled to a service provider network. The communications device includes a processor which converts a PTT communication from a first format to a second format.
In an embodiment of a method of the present invention for conducting a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) push-to-talk (PTT) call, the method includes converting a PTT communication from a first format to a second format by a processor of a communications device coupled to a service provider network.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a communications network architecture for conducting PTT calls between a dispatch communications device and a Voice Over IP communications device in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 2 further illustrates a communications device for interoperating between different technologies for PTT calls in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 illustrates a communications network architecture 100 for participating in dispatch communications. As can be seen, and as discussed above, the architecture can include multiple technologies for conducting dispatch communications. As discussed earlier, a dispatch call is a half-duplex call where only one party at a time may speak. A party may speak when they have the “floor” in the call. As is known, when a party desires to speak during a dispatch call, or “walkie-talkie” or “push-to-talk” type call, the party presses a button on a communications device, e.g., a cell phone, that has a dispatch communications capability.
As can be seen in FIG. 1, a dispatch communications device 110 is coupled to a dispatch communications service provider network 110A. The dispatch communications device may be any of a variety of devices that provide for dispatch communications via a dispatch communications network. Thus, the dispatch communications device 110 may be a cell phone, a “walkie-talkie” radio, etc. All that is required is that the dispatch communications device provide for dispatch communications via a dispatch communications network. Similarly, the dispatch communications service provider network 110A is not limited to any particular service provider or technology. All that is required is that the dispatch communications service provider network provide for dispatch communications for subscribers of the service provider by utilizing dispatch communications devices. Thus, the dispatch communications service provider network may utilize the Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) technology as utilized by Sprint Nextel or the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology as also utilized by Sprint Nextel. As such, a dispatch communication associated with dispatch communications device 110 and dispatch communications service provider network 110A is formatted in a dispatch communications format.
As will be discussed further below, even though both dispatch communications service provider network 110A and internet service provider network 120A can provide dispatch communications, a distinction is made between the two networks because dispatch communications service provider network 110A utilizes a dispatch communications format when providing dispatch communications services and internet service provider network 120A does not utilize a dispatch communications format. Rather, internet service provider network 120A utilizes a voice over internet protocol “VOIP” format for its communications, and if these communications are to be provided to a dispatch communications device, the dispatch communications must be re-formatted into a dispatch communications format such that dispatch communications can be conducted with a dispatch communications device. Thus, whereas internet service provider network 120A has the capability to provide dispatch services, the internet service provider network 120A does not utilize a dispatch communications format when providing such services.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, dispatch communications device 110, which is coupled to dispatch communications service provider network 110A, desires to participate in a dispatch (PTT) communication with VOIP communications device 120 which is coupled to internet service provider network 120A. Since dispatch communications device 110 is provided with dispatch communications services by dispatch communications service provider network 110A, the format of the PTT communication from dispatch communications device 110 is in a dispatch communications format. Therefore, in order to communicate with VOIP communications device 120, the PTT communication must be converted from the dispatch format associated with dispatch communications device 110 and dispatch communications service provider network 110A to a VOIP format such that the PTT communication can be received by internet service provider network 120A and provided to VOIP communications device 120.
In order to convert the format of the PTT communication from the dispatch communications format to the VOIP communications format, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, dispatch communications device 110, as can be seen in FIG. 2, includes a processor 112 that converts the PTT communication from the dispatch communications format to the VOIP communications format. In order to perform this conversion, the processor 112 utilizes standard VOIP encoding, encapsulating, and transmission protocols 114. Thus, the VOIP protocols 114 convert the dispatch communications format into a VOIP communications format such that the dispatch communication is transmitted to the internet service provider network 120A and VOIP communications device 120 in a VOIP format, which can be processed by this VOIP network and VOIP communications device. As can be understood, the VOIP communications device 120 utilizes the same standard VOIP encoding, encapsulating, and transmissions protocols as the processor 112 of the dispatch communications device 110. Thus, both endpoint client/devices implement compatible VOIP and IP protocol standards. As such, the dispatch communications device 110 can seamlessly communicate with the VOIP communications device 120 for dispatch communications.
As can also be seen in FIG. 2, dispatch communications device 110 also includes an IP address conversion table 116. The IP address conversion table 116 is coupled to processor 112 and allows processor 112 to correlate an identifier that is associated with the called party, i.e., VOIP communications device 120, to an IP address for the VOIP communications device 120. As can be understood, because dispatch communications device 110 communicates with other dispatch communications devices, these other dispatch communication devices are identified by identifiers that are associated with a dispatch communications format. For example, the identifier for the called party may be an iDEN PTN number. Therefore, for the dispatch communications device 110 to be able to communicate with a VOIP communications device 120, the dispatch communications device 110 may be required to translate an identifier for the VOIP communications device 120 to the IP address for the VOIP communications device 120. The IP address conversion table 116 provides the correlation between an identifier for the VOIP communications device 120 and its IP address. For example, if a user with dispatch communications device 110 wants to call John Doe who is using VOIP communications device 120, the user can merely select John Doe from an address list on the dispatch communications device and the processor 112 can access IP address conversion table 116 to correlate an IP address to the called party identifier, i.e., “John Doe”. Thus, the user is not required to remember or provide IP addresses for called parties using VOIP communications devices, rather, the IP address conversion table can contain this information.
There can be many alternative embodiments for populating the IP address conversion table 116 and the present invention is not limited to any particular method. For example, the IP addresses can be downloaded from dispatch communications service provider network 110A or the user can locally input the IP address utilizing the communications device's keypad. The dispatch communications service provider network 110A can inquire of internet service provider network 120A for an IP address of a subscriber of the network based on an identifier, e.g., John Doe, associated with a called party. Dispatch communications service provider network 110A can then download this IP address to the IP address conversion table 116 of the dispatch communications device 110.
As with the dispatch communications device 110, the VOIP communications device 120 is not limited to any particular type of VOIP device. For example, the VOIP device can be a personal computer. The VOIP communications device 120 would be required to include an ability to “turn the call around” with a push-button or iconic software button which signals the desire for the user of the VOIP communications device 120 to talk, i.e., “take the floor”, in the dispatch communication. This push-button or iconic software button is similar in functionality to a “push-to-talk” button associated with dispatch communications device 110.
As can be understood, in the same manner that VOIP protocols 114 convert a dispatch format to a VOIP format such that a dispatch communication can be sent by dispatch communications device 110 and received by VOIP communications device 120 in the VOIP format, the VOIP protocols 114 also provide for the conversion required for converting the VOIP formatted dispatch communication from VOIP communications device 120 to dispatch communications device 110. In this direction of the communication flow, the processor 112 utilizes the VOIP protocols 114 to convert the VOIP formatted communication to a dispatch formatted communication such that the dispatch communications device 110 can process the communication for the user of the communications device. Similar to the address conversion table included in dispatch communications device 110, VOIP communications device 120 could also include an address conversion table which converts an identifier for a called party at dispatch communications device 110 to a dispatch formatted address associated with the dispatch communications device 110.
The present invention is not limited to only conducting dispatch communications between two parties. Multiple parties may participate in such dispatch communications, for example, in dispatch group calls.
Thus, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, using IP or VOIP based PTT the opportunity is presented to terminate a mobile originated PTT call to one or more IP based voice services, such as Time Warner Cable's digital phone service, Skype, Vonage, Gizmo Project, etc. The present invention also allows for VOIP based service originated PTT calls to a mobile device. The mobile PTT device has the ability to store the IP address or other Internet Routable identifying address of one or more VOIP capable termination points such as a PC running a Skype network client attached to the internet either wired or wirelessly. All endpoints utilize the same VOIP encoding algorithms and signaling protocols and/or translation gateways that allow the endpoints to communicate. The present invention reduces the complexity of the overall system required by the prior art by using standard VOIP encoding, encapsulating, and transmission protocols from endpoint to endpoint. Endpoint clients/devices simply need to implement compatible VOIP and IP protocol standards.
The disclosed embodiments are illustrative of the various ways in which the present invention may be practiced. Other embodiments can be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (16)

What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for conducting a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) push-to-talk (PTT) call, comprising:
a mobile dispatch communications device coupled to a first service provider network which uses a dispatch communications format, wherein the mobile dispatch communications device includes a processor which converts a PTT communication from a dispatch communications format to a VOIP format, translates a PTT identifier for a second communications device to a translated VOIP identifier of the second communications device, and transmits the communication in the VOIP format and the translated VOIP identifier to a second service provide network which uses the VOIP format and which is in communication with the first service provide network.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispatch communications format is an Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) format.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispatch communications format is a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) format.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor utilizes standard VOIP encoding, encapsulating, and transmission protocols when converting the PTT communication from the dispatch communications format to the VOIP format.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second communications device is coupled to the second service provider network, wherein the second communications device is a VOIP communications device which uses the VOIP format, wherein the second communications device conducts a VOIP PTT call with the mobile dispatch communications device, and wherein the second communications device includes the standard VOIP encoding, encapsulating, and transmission protocols.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the mobile dispatch communications device is a cell phone and the second communications device is a personal computer.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mobile dispatch communications device further includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address conversion table to correlate the PTT identifier of the second communications device and the translated VOIP identifier of the second communications device.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mobile dispatch communications device is a cell phone.
9. A method for conducting a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) push-to-talk (PTT) call, comprising the steps of:
converting a PTT communication from a dispatch communications format to a VOIP format by a processor of a mobile dispatch communications device coupled to a first service provider network which uses a dispatch communications format,
translating a PTT identifier for a second communications device to a translated VOIP identifier of the second communications device; and
transmitting the communication in the VOIP format and the translated VOIP identifier to a second service provide network which uses the VOIP format and which is in communication with the first service provide network.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the dispatch communications format is an Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) format.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the dispatch communications format is a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) format.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the processor utilizes standard VOIP encoding, encapsulating, and transmission protocols when converting the PTT communication from the dispatch communications format to the VOIP format.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the a second communications device is coupled to the second service provider network, wherein the second communications device is a VOIP communications device which uses the VOIP format, wherein the second communications device conducts a VOIP PTT call with the mobile dispatch-communications device, and wherein the second communications device includes the standard VOIP encoding, encapsulating, and transmission protocols.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the mobile dispatch communications device is a cell phone and the second communications device is a personal computer.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein the mobile dispatch communications device further comprises an Internet Protocol (IP) address conversion table to correlate the PTT identifier of the second communications device and the translated VOIP identifier of the second communications device by the processor of the mobile dispatch communications device.
16. The method of claim 9, wherein the mobile dispatch communications device is a cell phone.
US12/366,897 2009-02-06 2009-02-06 Apparatus and method for conducting a push-to-talk (PTT) call with a voice over IP (VOIP) communications device Expired - Fee Related US8594586B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/366,897 US8594586B1 (en) 2009-02-06 2009-02-06 Apparatus and method for conducting a push-to-talk (PTT) call with a voice over IP (VOIP) communications device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/366,897 US8594586B1 (en) 2009-02-06 2009-02-06 Apparatus and method for conducting a push-to-talk (PTT) call with a voice over IP (VOIP) communications device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US8594586B1 true US8594586B1 (en) 2013-11-26

Family

ID=49596712

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/366,897 Expired - Fee Related US8594586B1 (en) 2009-02-06 2009-02-06 Apparatus and method for conducting a push-to-talk (PTT) call with a voice over IP (VOIP) communications device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US8594586B1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6360093B1 (en) * 1999-02-05 2002-03-19 Qualcomm, Incorporated Wireless push-to-talk internet broadcast
US20080085688A1 (en) * 2006-10-06 2008-04-10 Motorola, Inc. Method and system for data retrieval using push to talk
US7394761B2 (en) * 2003-04-29 2008-07-01 Avocent Huntsville Corporation System and method for delivering messages using alternate modes of communication

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6360093B1 (en) * 1999-02-05 2002-03-19 Qualcomm, Incorporated Wireless push-to-talk internet broadcast
US7394761B2 (en) * 2003-04-29 2008-07-01 Avocent Huntsville Corporation System and method for delivering messages using alternate modes of communication
US20080085688A1 (en) * 2006-10-06 2008-04-10 Motorola, Inc. Method and system for data retrieval using push to talk

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
TWI463840B (en) Mobile phone related indirect communication system and method
US20060073795A1 (en) Portable telephone for conveying real time walkie-talkie streaming audio-video
EP3322257B1 (en) Relay device, communication packet relay method, and sound communication system
US20070004438A1 (en) Method and apparatus enabling PTT (push-to-talk) communications between legacy PSTN, cellular and wireless 3G terminals
WO2009002491A4 (en) A method for signaling interworking cdma 3glx or evdo mobile devices with an ims core network
US20090129297A1 (en) Communication system
KR100652655B1 (en) System and method of providing push-to-talk service for optimizing floor control
KR100812898B1 (en) Communication control server, communication terminal and communication control method
US7646764B2 (en) IP network and communication method therein
US7809839B2 (en) Method and system for call set-up between mobile communication terminals
US20080137644A1 (en) METHODS AND APPARATUS TO PROVIDE VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL (VoIP) SERVICES
CN101262529A (en) Voice communication method and system between mobile terminal and computer
US20070035611A1 (en) Mobile audio/video data transmission system and method for the same
US8320362B2 (en) Telecommunications system and method of initiating file transfers from voice endpoints
US20110235625A1 (en) Communication terminal and relay station using local wireless communication and service providing method thereof
US20080279177A1 (en) Conjoined Telephony Communication System
CN101631277A (en) Method, server and client for optional selection of call object by PoC user
US9270799B2 (en) Using indirect communication to provide a solution to use international dialing convention and incorporating phone numbers for non-phone devices
US8594586B1 (en) Apparatus and method for conducting a push-to-talk (PTT) call with a voice over IP (VOIP) communications device
CN100471290C (en) Method for implementing half-duplex IP voice communication
CN110730192B (en) Voice data transmission method, device, equipment and computer readable storage medium
US20080305751A1 (en) Poc Communication System, Method for the Transmitting Poc Signalling and/or Poc Data, and a Server Device Therefor
JP6015349B2 (en) Relay device and communication system
JP4687917B2 (en) Signal control method for IP telephone system
KR100786788B1 (en) System and method for communicating at once voice and data between voip and a mobile telephone user

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC., VIRGINIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MYERS, STEVEN D.;REEL/FRAME:022219/0438

Effective date: 20090204

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

AS Assignment

Owner name: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, NEW YORK

Free format text: GRANT OF FIRST PRIORITY AND JUNIOR PRIORITY SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS;ASSIGNOR:NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:041882/0911

Effective date: 20170203

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

AS Assignment

Owner name: NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC., KANSAS

Free format text: TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF FIRST PRIORITY AND JUNIOR PRIORITY SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS;ASSIGNOR:DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS;REEL/FRAME:052291/0497

Effective date: 20200401

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: MAINTENANCE FEE REMINDER MAILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: REM.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED FOR FAILURE TO PAY MAINTENANCE FEES (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: EXP.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20211126